High fructose insecticide bait compositions

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to the discovered that in many strains of the German cockroach  Blattella germanica (L.)!, feeding is inhibited by high glucose levels, conversely, feeding of this strain of cockroach is stimulated by high or ultra high levels of fructose; therefore, preferred bait compositions of the instant invention relate to insecticide bait compositions for insect control which contain a ratio of fructose to glucose of no less that about 9:1 and as great as about 10:0, binder and a preferred pyrimidinono hydrazone.

This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/629,263 filed Apr. 8, 1996, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/342,543 filed Nov. 21, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,955, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/964,994 filed Oct. 22, 1992, now abandoned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to an improved poison bait formulation for control of German cockroaches Blattella germanica (L.)!. More particularly, this invention relates to improved insecticide bait compositions containing high levels of fructose and very low levels of glucose for the control of German cockroach strains.

Heretofore there have been a large number of insecticide compositions. Most of them are based on chemicals which are either capable of instant and delayed killing action. These prior poison baits contain various materials as food attractants. These food attractants used in compositions include various sweetening agents, together with the toxicant. The prior art describes insecticide bait compositions containing a very general array of sugars and sweeteners as attractants for cockroach control, without regard to diversity of feeding preferences as displayed by field cockroach strains.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,071 relates to an insecticide natural bait composition which includes, in a broad sense, sugar or sugar substitute. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,103 relates to an insecticide bait composition for the control of cockroaches in which the food attractant system comprises various ingredients, including a mixture of liquid food, for example, molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup, honey.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,710 relates to a stable aerosol foam insecticide bait composition which includes as an attractant to facilitate consumption by the crawling insects, sugars or a sugar composition.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,413 relates to poison bait for control of insects, particularly cockroaches, wherein the bait contains a saccharide as a component in amounts of 0.1-10% by weight and 10-40% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Examples of saccharide in the '413 patent are sucrose, glucose, d-fructose, lactose, black sugar, brown sugar, soft brown sugar, etc. Among the preferred sugars mentioned in the '413 patent are black sugar, brown sugar and soft brown sugar. The content of the saccharide is normally preferred between 10-40% by weight.

Without regard for the toxicant in the instant bait composition, it has been found that bait compositions having ultra high fructose to glucose ratios are more efficacious than those with lower fructose to glucose ratios. More particularly, it has been found that improved consumption performance of cockroach baits by field-collected cockroaches, has been found with bait compositions containing fructose to glucose ratios in excess of about 9:1, respectively. When fructose to glucose ratios are less than 9:1, feeding inhibition has been observed. Therefore by "ultra high" is meant a ratio of fructose to glucose in no less than 9:1 to about 10:0. Preferably, about 40% by weight of the total formulation is fructose.

A preferred embodiment of this invention are bait compositions having ultra high fructose content within the definition herein defined and a nonrepellent binder and from about 0.25% to about 5% of a cockroach effective toxic insecticide compound. Preferably the cockroach insecticide compound is a pentadiene hydrazone. More preferably, said toxicant is selected from the pentadiene-3-one substituted amidino hydrazones described by Tomcufik, U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,201, and disclosed by Lovell, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,087,525 and 4,163,102, the disclosures of which are incorporated hereby by reference thereto.

Most preferably, the present invention provides such an insecticide-bait composition containing ultra high ratio levels fructose to glucose in the range of from 9:1 to 10:0, respectively, about 40% by weight of the total formulation and the insecticide pentadiene-3-one compounds referred to hereinabove, and particularly the compound tetra hydro-5,5-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone 3- 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl!-1- 2-4-(trifluoro-methyl) phenyl! ethenyl!-2-propenylidene! hydrazone.

Therefore, as the result of extensive studies with regard to cockroach bait containing very general arrays of sugars and sweeteners as attractants or feeding stimulants, it has been discovered that in many strains of the German cockroach Blattelia germanica (L.)!, feeding is inhibited by moderate to high glucose levels. Conversely, feeding of these cockroach strains is stimulated by high or ultra high levels of fructose. The preferred bait compositions of the instant invention relate to insecticide bait compositions for insect control which contain a ratio of fructose to glucose of no less that about 9:1 and as great as about 10:0.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to prepare a roach bait composition which is highly effective, yet convenient to use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a roach bait which is especially attractive to roaches.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a roach bait composition which has no repellency characteristics and which is more attractive to the roaches than otherwise normal known bait formulations.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a roach bait which exhibits preferred consumption over prior bait compositions having a general array of sugars and sweeteners as attractants for the roaches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, the present invention provides an improved bait composition for the control of noxious insects, particularly cockroaches, which comprises at least one insecticide selected from the group consisting of organic phosphorus insecticides, carbamates, pyrethroids, boric acid and borates, sulfluramid and avermectins, insect growth regulators and pentadienone hydrazone insecticides; and fructose to glucose ratio in excess of 9:1. The content of the insecticide may vary widely within a range depending upon the individual insecticide used, the species of insect to be treated. Preferably, this invention provides such an insecticide bait composition comprising an insecticide compound, a specific food attractant system, and a binder. A preservative is optionally added to the composition.

Oatmeal is used as a binder in the formulation of insecticidal composition. It is not believed to be a preferred food material for the target insects. Oatmeal has several disadvantages: (1) it contains high levels of microorganisms; (2) is requires dusty grinding for uniformity; and (3) it causes the formulation to harden in about four hours. Thus, a formulation which does not require oatmeal as a binder, but has similar efficacy, would be more advantageous.

Replacing oatmeal with Elmer's glue, a polyvinyl acetate emulsion-based glue, results in acceptable bait efficacy, longer pot life and ease of manufacturing. Other substitutes for oatmeal are acetate emulsion-based glue, polyvinyl acetate emulsion, natural glue (beef collagen), gelatin, Carragennan, and water-absorbing polymers. The last two have the advantage of being used as a potential use-up signal since they shrink with loss of moisture. Elmer's glue is an adhesive containing polyvinyl acetate resin emulsion, polyvinyl alcohol, plasticizer, solvent, defoamer, preservative and filler. (Elmer's glue is a commercial product of Borden, Inc.) A stable emulsion product with glue:food attractant ratio of 1:1.6 can be formulated without additional emulsifier. Adding more polyvinyl alcohol emulsifier helps to stabilize a 1:1.80 ratio product. The emulsion is stable for 2-3 days and can be easily redispersed. This emulsion can also be foamed to give a low density bait.

It is preferred that the binder not be repellent to the target insect. Suitable binders include waxes, such as a paraffin, ceresin wax, candilla wax, POLAWAX™, beeswax, carnauba wax, microcrystalline waxes and polyethylene waxes can also be used.

It is to be noted that other materials, such as preservatives, colorings, and the like also may be incorporated into the insecticidal bait composition. It may also be necessary in some instances to render the insecticide more dispersible in the bait composition, and accordingly, materials to accomplish this purpose may also be present in the composition.

Although it is not a particular feature of, or limitation on, the composition of the present invention, the insecticide typically comprises about 0.25 to 5%, preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight, of the bait composition. The food attractant(s) will generally comprise the major portion of the composition--typically up to about 80% by weight thereof, with the binder material comprising the remainder thereof--typically from about 5 to 20% by weight. However, in certain instances, depending, inter alia, upon the nature of the various ingredients, the binder material may comprise more of the overall composition than the food attractant(s).

Antimicrobial and/or antioxidant agents also may be included. Optionally, from about 0.5% to about 1.0% of an antimicrobial agent such as sorbic acid/potassium sulfate, Dowcil™ 200 (cis isomer of 2-(3-chloroallyl)3,5,7-triaza-1-azonia-1-adamantane chloride), esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid such as propyl paraben/methyl paraben (propyl P-hydroxy benzoate/methyl p-hydroxybenzoate), Captan® (N-(trichloromethylthio)-4-cyclohexane- 1,3-di-carboximide), sodium silicate, sodium dehydroacetate and sodium benzoate, bromo-nitro propane diods such as 2-bromopropane 1,3-diol, 3-iodo-2-propylbutyl carbamate; and benzo-thiazolin-2-one may be added as a preservative to inhibit microorganism growth and may be incorporated during formation of the composition of this invention.

Practical and preferred embodiments for preparation of the insecticide compositions containing ultra high levels of fructose and ultra low levels of glucose according to the present invention are illustrated in the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1

One hundred (100) male cockroaches from six German cockroach strains were restrained on their backs. 0.5 droplets of either 1M fructose or 1M glucose solutions were applied to the mouthparts of the insects. A positive response was recorded if the droplet was imbibed. Table 1 represents the results of this test. It can be seen from Table 1 that of five strains in this test collected from field locations, 4 showed significantly fewer positive responses to glucose. However, fructose initiated a positive response in 89% or more of the individual insects from all strains. The strain Cyan (cy) is a lab colony, also known as Orlando normal, and not a field strain.

The six German cockroach strains employed in Table 1 are:

                  TABLE 1     ______________________________________                    % positive response                      fructose                              glucose     Blattella Strain 1M      1M     ______________________________________     Orlando normal   89      91     Miami            92      88     Torrance         97      33     Hawthorne        94      33     T-164            92       8     6133             89      62     ______________________________________

EXAMPLE 2

Various ratios of fructose:glucose (1M total sugar) were prepared in agar. These were introduced along with a blank agar dish into colonies of a field collected strain (T-164) of German cockroach (4 replicates). Test solutions were made by adding crystalline glucose and fructose at the various rates and ratios indicated to total 1 Molar solutions in 1% agar. Two values were 0.5 Molar solutions each for fructose and glucose, respectively. The amount of sugar/agar consumed was measured. Less than 50 percent consumption of the sugar indicated that the sugar inhibited feeding. Fifty percent feeding indicated that the insects were neither inhibited nor stimulated by the sugar. Greater than 50 percent feeding was interpreted as meaning the sugar was a stimulant and enhanced cockroach feeding.

    ______________________________________                   Percent Cockroaches                   feeding (Consumption     Fructose/Glucose                   of Fructose/Glucose     Concentration diet (%)     ______________________________________     1.0M GLU      5.5     0.5M GLU      8     1:1           14.1     1.5:1         14.9     2.3:1         23.6     4:1           37.6     5.7:1         48.2     9:1           53.2     19:1          59.4     0.5M FRU      70.7     1.0M FRU      65.6     ______________________________________

Table 2 represents the results of Example 2. It can be seen that fructose:glucose ratios of 9:1 and higher stimulate feeding by cockroaches (feeding by more than 50 percent) while those below 9:1 depress or discourage feeding.

EXAMPLE 3

Five corn syrups, which differed in their saccharide composition, were included in two very distinct bait formulations. German Cockroaches were presented with a choice of these baits, and the amount of bait consumed was determined.

The corn syrup compositions were:

                  TABLE 3     ______________________________________     A       B         C         D       E     ______________________________________     Fructose             Fructose  Fructose  Fructose                                         Fructose     55%     0%        0%        95%     100%     Glucose 42%             Glucose 5%                       Glucose 9%                                 Glucose 5%                                         Glucose 0%     Higher  Higher    Higher    Higher  Higher     Sac-    Sac-      Sac-      Sac-    Sac-     charides             charides  charides  charides                                         charides     3%      95%       91%       0%      0%     ______________________________________

The distinct bait formulations were as follows:

                  TABLE 4     ______________________________________     1                   2     ______________________________________     Corn Syrup 40%      Corn Syrup 29%     Oatmeal             Poultry Liver     Carbowax            Soybean Oil     Oleic Acid          Oleic Acid     Isopropanol         Emulsifier     Dowicil             Dowicil     ______________________________________

The percent consumption of each of these distinct bait formulations with each of the five syrups is the following:

                  TABLE 5     ______________________________________                     % CONSUMPTION                     OF BAIT TYPE     CORN SYRUP        1      2     ______________________________________     A                 0.6    0.3     B                 3.7    13.4     C                 1.1    6.4     D                 43.9   42.3     E                 50.6   37.6     ______________________________________

The results show that the majority of feeding for both bait formulations is on the materials containing the highest fructose corn syrups. Even though Corn Syrup A contains 55 % fructose, the presence of the relatively high percentage of glucose (42%) discouraged consumption of the formulation by the German cockroaches.

FIG. 1 represents efficacy performance of two bait compositions with 100% fructose corn syrup versus corn syrup with fructose and glucose (55:42).

To test ultra high fructose bait formulation efficacy the following test was conducted. Using the bait formulations of Table 4 a representative toxicant was used in a further formulation. That is, an insecticide was added from the class pentadiene-3-one, specifically, tetrahydro-5,5-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone 3- 4-(trifluoromethylOphenyl!-1- 2- 4-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl! ethynyl!-2-propenylidene!hydrazone The T-164 strain of B. germanica was used in this test.

Baits without glucose provided 100% mortality by day 10; however baits with glucose never killed more than 40% of the test insects throughout the 14-day study.

    ______________________________________     100% fructose bait                   LT.sub.50  95%CI!,                              bait 1 = 3.87 days                              bait 2 = 4.08 days     fructose/glucose bait                   LT.sub.50  95%CI!,                              bait 1 = 14.01 days                              bait 2 = 16.46 days     ______________________________________

In order to be effective, it has been found that the composition formulation according to the present invention must have an ultra high ratio of fructose to glucose and the amount of fructose (wt. %) of the total formulation must be about 40%. Preferably, the bait composition contains a ratio of about 9:1 to about 10:0 percent by weight of fructose to glucose.

The present invention can be implemented in other specific ways than those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The embodiments discussed herein, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An insecticidal bait composition comprising about 0.25% by weight to about 5.0% by weight of an avermectin insecticide and a food attractant comprising a saccharide which has a ratio of fructose to glucose in excess of about 9:1.
 2. An insecticidal bait composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bait composition is a cockroach bait composition and is free of repellancy characteristics.
 3. An insecticidal bait composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said saccharide is free of glucose.
 4. An insecticidal bait composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insecticide is present in an amount from about 0.25%% to about 5% by weight of the composition, the food attractant comprises up to about 80% by weight of the composition, and said composition further comprises a binder in an amount from about 5% to about 20% by weight of the composition.
 5. An insecticidal bait composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the avermectin insecticide is present in an amount of about 0.5% by weight to about 3% by weight.
 6. A method of controlling insects comprising applying an effective amount of the insecticidal bait composition as claimed in claim 1 to an area containing said insects.
 7. A method of controlling insects as claimed in claim 6, wherein said insects are cockroaches.
 8. A method of controlling insects as claimed in claim 7, wherein said cockroaches are Blattella germanica.
 9. A method of controlling insects as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cockroaches are the T-164 strain. 